Part of the Vauxhall Insignia B (2017–2022) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2021 Vauxhall Insignia: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Vauxhall Insignias, from 907 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

907MOT tests in 2025
84%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
10,800typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Vauxhall Insignias than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Brake pads1.9× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    13.1% All 2021 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Shock absorbers2.3× usual
    Vauxhall Insignia
    3.9% All 2021 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

By area

The share of 2021 Vauxhall Insignia MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    24% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    18% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Suspension
    5% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    3% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    3% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022618Tyres 39%
20201,298Tyres 28%
20197,839Tyres 31%
201812,604Tyres 31%
201715,241Tyres 33%
201621,545Tyres 35%
201527,344Tyres 36%
201423,742Suspension 40%
201318,685Suspension 38%
201217,037Suspension 41%
201118,054Suspension 47%
20109,913Suspension 50%
20096,535Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Vauxhall Insignias registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score